Editor’s Note
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 13, Issue 4
Papers published in this issue of the Journal of Architectural Engineering focus on a wide variety of important and diverse industry topics, ranging from sustainability, to constructability, to indoor air quality. In one way or another, all the papers in this issue address the complex issue of design and construction in an industry where the list of factors competing for our limited project resources continues to expand. Collectively, they demonstrate that new methods and processes are important in making design and construction decisions that will impact not only our industry but the general public in the future.
In their paper, Oberle, Pohlman, and Roper remind us that it is commonplace in the industry today to have a project that competes across a variety of fronts for our limited overall resources. The authors note that competing factors can include items such as sustainable design, security, accessibility, historic preservation, functionality, and aesthetics. To assist in allocating those resources, the authors present a decision matrix designed by the Georgia Institute of Technology that can be used to assist owners and planners to balance competing requirements on a project-by-project basis and to document the rationale.
Hu, Freihaut, Bahnfleth, Aumpansub, and Thran point out that human activity is an important factor influencing particle resuspension in the indoor environment. In conjunction with this, the authors have studied the applicability of a multizone airflow and contaminant transport model that can be used to simulate the indoor dispersion of particles under human activity disturbance. A three-zone building with a HVAC system is used in a simulation case study to test and demonstrate the convergence and accuracy of their algorithm under different particle release scenarios.
Fazio, Mao, Ge, Alturkistani and Rao remind us that while building systems are expected to minimize rainwater penetration, the perfect water resistant wall seldom exists after design and construction. The authors discuss a new testing method aimed at the evaluation of the relative drying capacity of wall systems and discuss the evaluation of six wood-framed wall panels of different configurations tested in a large scale environmental chamber. Research presented in the paper identifies the drying capacity of a particular wall panel by using a drying by evaporation index (DEI). Use of the DEI as an indicator of the relative drying capacity of different wall systems is presented by the authors.
The importance of an accurate cost estimate can not be underestimated in our industry today. Jrade and Alkass point out the need to focus not only on first costs but to incorporate the costs associated with operation and maintenance. Their paper presents a methodology that can be used to develop an integrated conceptual cost estimating and life-cycle cost analysis procedure for construction projects during their initial phases. The authors go on to discuss the development and implementation of an automated system that assists in the preparation of life-cycle cost estimates including the ability to generate parametric results for different building modifications.
Case histories are a valuable learning tool for our industry. They provide us with an opportunity to see how well research and theory come together on actual projects. A case study pointing out the design and construction challenges related to a federal laboratory building is presented in detail by authors Thomas-Mobley, Oberle, and Kangari. The case study illustrates the successful collaboration of two federal agencies, General Services Administration (GSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and apply creative methods to solve a number of complex design, construction, and budgetary issues, thereby providing valuable lessons learned for the industry in general.
A Note of Appreciation for Our Reviewers
This issue marks the end of a very successful year for the Journal of Architectural Engineering. The number of manuscripts submitted to the Journal have increased, and ASCE approved an increase in our number of pages as a result. Much of the credit for this measure of success lies with the dedicated group of volunteer reviewers that serve the Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) and the Journal each year. Due to the breadth of topics published and disciplines represented in our pages, it takes a large number of talented and experienced reviewers to keep the pages of the Journal turning. Our pool of reviewers is as diverse as the papers we publish, and they represent all parts of the industry.
As is tradition, each December we list all the individuals who have participated in the review process. On behalf of the Board of Governors of the AEI and the Editorial Board of the Journal, please join us in expressing our appreciation to all current and past reviewers. I would like to add my personal thanks to all the reviewers and the Editorial Board Members this year, many of whom went beyond what was asked of them, to provide thoughtful and thorough comments to our authors, enriching the Journal and the profession in the process. The list of reviewers for 2007 is located in a special section at the end of this issue.
Nominations: Outstanding Papers Published in 2007
I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors of the Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) has authorized two outstanding paper awards for 2007. AEI indicated a desire to recognize an outstanding paper in the area of scientific research and the area of industry practice. The Editorial Board will be studying the papers published this year in order to make recommendations to the AEI Awards Committee. Readers are invited and encouraged to participate in the nomination process. If you know of a paper that you feel is worthy of one of the awards, please write to me with the details, including your reasons for nominating the paper. My contact information follows: M. Kevin Parfitt, Department of Architectural Engineering, Penn State University, 104 Engineering Unit A, University Park, PA 16802; e-mail: [email protected], 814-863-3244.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 13 • Issue 4 • December 2007
Pages: 173
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Published online: Dec 1, 2007
Published in print: Dec 2007
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